Dear Friend,

Whenever I'm home in Kansas, I touch base with the commanders of the Second District's two Army bases. Earlier this month I was fortunate to spend a morning and afternoon at Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth County.

As you may know, Fort Leavenworth's location was first scouted two centuries ago by a pair of Army captains who, during a long cross-country sojourn, paused to mark a spot for a frontier base. The men would go down in history as Lewis and Clark; the location would grow into Fort Leavenworth.

Fast forward to 2007, and that base is home to the U.S. Army Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL), a key strategic resource in the War on Terror. CALL translates the Army's experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan into guidance for future action. In essence, it learns from the Army's past to improve its present.

Because Leavenworth is, in so many ways, the bright line between the Army's history and its future, it made a natural home for the inaugural meeting of my new Veterans and Military Affairs Advisory Council (VMAAC). The VMAAC's members are men and women with tremendous experience in all branches of military service, and they will be working with me to guide present-day policy. Our first meeting included very frank, helpful discussion of veterans' benefits and the war in Iraq, and I know the VMAAC will continue to be an invaluable resource.

During the recess, I also spent time at the Second District's other military base, Fort Riley, and I hope to share news from Riley in a later newsletter. Until then, enjoy the summer weather, and take care!

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress

Casework Corner - Cutting through Medicare Red Tape

Earlier this year, Dolores Rose of Rossville, Kansas, underwent surgery for cancer. Like most people facing a major operation, she felt a turbulent mixture of emotions: fear of the procedure, confusion about all the doctors and nurses and paperwork, uncertainty about her prospects, and -- most of all -- hope for her recovery.

She had reason to feel hopeful. Dolores, who is 75, was eligible for health insurance under Medicare, so she expected that, after her operation, she could focus on rest and recuperation instead of dollars and cents.

Continue reading...

Agriculture Disaster Assistance Sign-up Dates Announced

Earlier this year, I voted for legislation to extend a helping hand to Kansas farmers and ranchers who were impacted by recent agricultural disasters.  This week, the Farm Service Agency announced how affected farmers can apply for the $3 billion in new aid.

If you suffered losses due to drought, winter storms, tornadoes, floods, or other disasters between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2007, and if your county is a declared federal disaster area, you may be eligible for assistance.  Eligible ranchers and other livestock producers can apply to receive benefits under the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) beginning September 10, 2007. Eligible farmers can sign-up for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP) beginning October 15, 2007, if they suffered quantity losses to their crops.

To learn more, please visit the Disaster Assistance Programs website or contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

Disaster Relief Deadline Approaching

If you were affected by the severe storms and flooding that swept across Kansas from June 26 to July 25, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. The application deadline is Tuesday, September 4, 2007. Click here for more information.

The 23 counties eligible for Individual Assistance are Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Crawford, Edwards, Elk, Franklin, Greenwood, Harper, Labette, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Pawnee, Wilson, and Woodson.

The toll-free telephone registration line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., CDT, Monday through Saturday. The TTY number for residents with special speech or hearing needs is TTY 1-800-462-7585. Eligible residents also can register online at www.fema.gov.

August Recess Wrap-Up

The annual August Congressional recess has offered a wonderful opportunity to visit with people and groups across the Kansas Second District.  It has been great to be home, and I've appreciated the chance to meet with so many of you in the last few weeks.

I've focused during the recess on learning more about the local businesses that are driving the Second District economy.  I toured Hill's Pet Nutrition, the local Blue Cross Blue Shield office, the Topeka Goodyear plant, Burlington North Santa Fe, BRI and Nanoscale in Manhattan, the Flint Hills Job Corps Center, and the Pawnee Mental Health Center.

Another priority was visiting with energy producers in the Kansas Second District, since one of the key issues before Congress this term is strengthening America's energy independence.  I toured the coal-fired Jeffrey Energy Center in St. Marys and the nuclear-powered Wolf Creek Generation Station in Burlington.

My staff and I held Congress on Your Corner events in Overbrook, Paola, and Manhattan.  At each event, I answered questions about bills pending before Congress and met one-on-one with constituents to address their legislative concerns, offer help with federal agencies, and learn more about their lives.

Also during August, I was honored to join the U.S. Coast Guard Personnel Service Office as they celebrated their 25th anniversary, and I participated in the openings of the new Topeka Social Security Administration office and the new UniCare Health Care Office.  I also toured Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth and discussed the bases' needs with commanders and soldiers.


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